U.S. Jr. figure skating championships; Zhang v. Nagasu

Eeeee. The U.S. figure skating junior championships are underway. For months it has appeared that Caroline Zhang, who's been unstoppable on the Junior Grand Prix circuit this year, would easily win the U.S. title at Nationals this month. However, it seems like another 13-year-old phenom, Mirai Nagasu may upset her.


Mirai Nagasu, 1st after short program.



Caroline Zhang, 2nd after the ladies short program.

1 Mirai NAGASU 54.26
2 Caroline ZHANG 53.87 (fell on a double axel - artistic scores are keeping her in contention)
3 Blake ROSENTHAL 51.67
4 Ashley WAGNER 51.20
5 Michaelee SCARINCIO 46.73
6 Alexe GILLES 46.43 26.80
7 Victoria RACKOHN 46.07 (fell)
8 Chrissy HUGHES 44.40
9 Sherry BARNES 43.70
10 Brittney WESTDORP 43.69 (fell)
11 Brittney RIZO 42.35 2
12 Kelcie LEE 41.40
13 Chao-Chih LIU 41.20
14 Kirsten OLSON 38.71

Articles on the competition (mainly on Caroline)
An edge on the rest
Zhang slips into second

Video interview from U.S. champ. blog:

I love it:
Reporter: Did it [the fall] hurt?
Zhang: Uh, yeah.

A skating diva in the making, perhaps? I love the part where she talks about wearing her skates in Disneyland. Too Cute. According to the video interview, Michelle Kwan has been "coaching" Caroline on her jumps. Wow. She does have a weird take off on her toe-pick assisted jumps. She just slams her pick onto the ice. It looks painful and definitely not good for her body.

Some other articles. I haven't been able to find any on Nagasu, strangely. She's kind of a dark horse, I suppose.

Mirai Nagasu - triple axel attempt
Mirai Nagasu - Culver skating rink
Brittney Rizo - Rising Rizo
Brittney Westdorp